T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t A u s t i n Strategies TOPICS DISCUSSED Importance of Identify Opportunities Utilize Tools Informational Interviews Sample Informational Interview Request Lists How to Work a Room The 60-Second Introduction Follow-Up: Maintaining Your Network Social Importance of Effective networking involves establishing and maintaining contacts and relationships that will help you learn and grow both professionally and personally. In fact, approximately 70% of job opportunities are found through networking. Learning how to network is especially important for students entering an increasingly competitive job market. Many positions are no longer posted ; instead they are found through back doors. Professional contacts can help you during a job search and beyond. You never know when a networking contact may become an employer, client, or business partner. Identify Opportunities When forming your list of network contacts, don t leave anyone out! The obvious candidates include professors and previous employers. The less obvious potential for your network is huge: Professional/student organizations Civic and community groups Volunteer organizations Upperclassmen Texas Exes Past employers (managers & co-workers) McCombs & UT alumni groups (see McCombs Alumni Resources, McCombs School Directory, or LinkedIn) Contacts from internships LinkedIn contacts Previous and current recruiters Utilize Tools Friends and family Family friends and friends families Previous and current professors Mentors Religious communities Everyone can set up a network of contacts. With a positive attitude and the right tools, your dream job could be one contact away. If you think you ve never networked before, get ready to be proven wrong; every handshake or introduction you ve had is another start to a potential professional contact. Informational interviews are a great way to continue growing your network. can feel like a full-time job sometimes. Establishing, maintaining, and following up on network contacts is a continual process that takes time and energy; however, your efforts will pay off in the end. lists can be very useful for organizing contacts and keeping track of details. 1
Informational Interviews Informational interviews can be one of the most valuable sources of occupational information and are a great networking technique. They give you an opportunity to obtain relevant information about the realities of working within a particular field, industry, or position. Conducting informational interviews will expand your network, improve your confidence when speaking with professionals, and help you learn more about an industry, company, profession, or position within a company. You can interview students with internships, McCombs alumni, current employees, or professors. Reminders about Informational Interviews Use informational interviews to learn about an industry, profession, company, or a position within a specific company Select people who have skills, experiences, and knowledge you are interested in Prepare questions in advance by researching the company and industry DO NOT present a resume in an informational interview; this is not the time to ask for a job ALWAYS send a thank you email or note and remember to maintain your group of contacts; one contact can lead to multiple business and social contacts Sample Informational Interview Request Informational Interview Request Email Subject Line of Email Message: Request to meet for informational interview Email Message: Dear Ms. Wilson, I am currently a [classification] at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. I plan to declare [Major] here at McCombs, and I am interested in working in [Industry, company, or position of interest]. I found your name in the McCombs Alumni Directory, and I wanted to reach out to you to learn more about the career path you have taken. I saw on LinkedIn that you have worked for both [Company A] and [Company B], and I would really like to hear your perspective on what it takes to break into the industry. OR OR My cousin, John Doe, recommended I contact you to learn more about the industry and your career path. I will be in Houston from December 12 - January 2. Would you be available to meet with me for about 20-30 minutes while I am in town? Thank you so much for considering my request. Introduction/Purpose Be clear you are seeking advice, not a job; mention referral if applicable Offer proposed times & thank them Sincerely, Lucy Longhorn Lucy.Longhorn@utexas.edu McCombs BBA, May 2017 512-555-5555 2
Lists Maintaining a networking list will help you track communication with your networking contacts. Keep a list of everyone you know who may be influential in your job search process, including details such as their titles, addresses, telephone numbers, as well as noting the actions you expect to carry out to involve them in your career planning (e.g., set up an informational interview, request advice, give them your resume, ask about job opportunities). Update contacts after they have given you any leads or assistance; this is a great way to maintain your group of contacts and show appreciation. Reciprocate when the opportunity arises. Be sure to stay in touch with your network by contacting them every few months or so with updates about your recruiting or academic progress and any new questions you may have. The following table is an example of how you can organize and manage your networking list. CONTACTS ACTION DATES OF CONTACT Gina Jones 2/10/XXXX Phone Call to request advice A & E Network on how to get into TV publicity. 2/11/XXXX 233 E. Main Street NY, NY 10017 Sent thank you email for advice given. 212/210-5555 Valarie Ebeier Barnard Fashion Press Director Esprit de Corp. 1275 Broadway, 16th Fl. New York, NY 10018 212/650-8316 Referred by Atoosa Behnegar. Set up informational interview. She may have an entry level position open? 12/5/XXXX 12/14/XXXX George G. DelToro Morgan Stanley & Co. 3751 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY 10020 212/555-1234 Columbia Grad. Referred by Heather Moskowitz. Invite to dinner to discuss how to break into Finance. 1/18/XXXX Jennifer Shapiro National Promotions Columbia Records 24 Music Square East Nashville, TN 37203 615/346-9875 Met through contact at Atlantic. Sent her a CD package. Call to follow-up. 2/1/XXXX 2/3/XXXX 3
How to Work a Room Career fairs, like the Undergraduate Career Expo in the fall and spring, are the perfect setting for meeting great contacts. Recruiters come with business cards and informational handouts about their organization and current job opportunities. Recruiting companies will send a handful of recruiters ready to meet students and answer questions. However, just like you, hundreds of other students are vying for those prime job openings. Your preparation and presentation are keys to standing out and achieving your career planning objectives. Use the following guidelines to prepare for recruiting events. 1. Do Your Homework Try to know as much as you can about the companies you plan to talk to at the event Research companies and find out who and what they are looking for Know whom you want to meet and why you think the company is right for you 2. Dress to Impress Polished business professional dress is always best for career fairs Don t fumble with a lot of stuff; bring a leather portfolio for resumes and business cards Review the required dress for any event prior to attending 3. Plan Your Strategy Circle the room once to determine which companies to talk to & where they re located Start with companies that don t have a long line Smile as you approach and always maintain eye contact If you have a first-choice employer, don t wait until the end to talk to them; meet them when you are still fresh 4. Make Contact Be the first to extend a hand; shaking hands shows that you re eager to interact Give a firm handshake before and after a conversation and thank the recruiter for his/her time Use the 60-Second Introduction as appropriate to initiate conversation 5. Listen and Learn Ask open-ended questions to gather more information about the company and listen to answers Remember: you are trying to pass the test as a personable human being first and as a talented job candidate second Do not monopolize the recruiter s time 6. Cover Your Bases Ask for business cards or jot down people s names and emails Send a thank-you email or handwritten note after the event Include stories or topics of discussion from your conversations to personalize your correspondence Review the Job Search Correspondence guide for more information The 60-Second Introduction The 60-Second Introduction is your best strategy to initiate conversation in situations like career fairs and receptions. When you only have a limited amount of time with a recruiter, the 60-Second Introduction serves as a brief yet effective introduction to guide you smoothly into your conversation. You will utilize this succinct and personalized introduction in various career related situations (e.g., career fairs, interviews, business dinners, etc.). To develop your introductions, it is necessary to assess your skills, strengths, accomplishments, and goals. Your introductions will continue to evolve as you practice them throughout your career. A 60-Second Introduction could be used during an interview, business dinner, or situation where time is not as limited. You may need to shorten your introduction to 30 seconds at a networking reception, career fair, or other situation where time is limited. Your introduction can also answer the common Tell me about yourself question. You may also hear these introductions called the 30-Second Introduction, your Commercial, or your Elevator Pitch. 4
The 60-Second Introduction (Cont d.) The content of the 60-Second Introduction is predictable; the preparation and practice required is not. You will distinguish yourself if you can do this well. In order to assemble the information for your 60-Second Introduction, you should review your relevant experience. You may follow the examples given and include background, education, etc.; or, you may focus on your unique capabilities and strengths and how they fit into a work environment. Your introduction should not sound rehearsed. It is not necessary to cover all the points listed; use your judgment about what highlights your skills and abilities the best. Practice the following structure enough to become comfortable with it without sounding too rehearsed or impersonal. What Should I Include in My Introduction? Who are you? What makes you interesting? Include a unique point that can connect to the interviewer or to the position you are inquiring about. Talk about something memorable yet professional. Education Mention your BBA degree, major, and any honors or awards. Discuss a significant activity that you are involved in or a concentration that applies to the position for which you are interviewing. Why did you choose your major? Work Experience/Internships/Academic Projects/Case Competitions Talk about any internships you ve had, positions you ve held, or projects on which you ve enjoyed working. This can be with student organizations as well as a job. Don t get too specific, just touch on some major accomplishments. Why do you want to work here? Emphasize why you chose the specific company, how enthusiastic you are about job opportunities at the company, and the skills you have that make you a good fit for this company. Explain what you have to offer this organization. End with an engaging question Doing this will turn your introduction into a conversation. Ask an open-ended question about something that you cannot find through information on their web site or company press releases. Make sure your question is appropriate and Follow-Up: Maintaining Your Network Following up is integral for successful networking. By following up, you are sealing the networking link between you and your contact. The easiest and most common way to follow up today is through email. However, handwritten notes make a lasting impression; they come across as more personal and are a rarity in today s internet-driven world. Regardless of the format you choose, genuinely thank your contact for his or her help in your job search and include a topic or anecdote from your conversation to personalize your correspondence. Be sure to provide all your contact information so your contact can conveniently communicate with you. You can find sample thank you notes in the Job Search Correspondence guide. Social Social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter are a ubiquitous part of our landscape and can help or harm your job search efforts. Companies are increasingly moving toward social media to recruit and screen candidates. Exercise caution when creating and updating these or similar accounts. Make sure that your privacy settings are limited so that potential employers cannot view questionable or controversial content you post. Better yet, do not post questionable or controversial content at all! LinkedIn is a great tool for professional networking. LinkedIn is not Facebook! It is a professional community that gives you a digital platform to present and promote yourself to potential employers. You can also use the free Find Alumni tool to connect with Longhorns at almost every company or industry imaginable. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile includes a professional-looking headshot, and limit any posts to positive, professional, well-written comments. 5